Expanding the Understanding of the Complementary Nature of Humanistic Principles and Social Justice Practices in Counseling and Education

Abstract

It is with much humility and gratitude that I write this introduction to the special section of the Journal of Humanistic Counseling on social justice counseling, education, and advocacy. My humility is based on a growing understanding of the complexity that underlies the complementary nature of humanistic principles and social justice counseling and advocacy practices. This understanding has been greatly enhanced by reading the articles that are included in this special section. The ideas presented by the authors of these articles have stimulated new insights into a broad range of ways that humanistic principles and social justice counseling and advocacy practices can be implemented in our professional practices. In addition to being grateful to the authors for the ways they help to expand the knowledge base related to a humanistic perspective of social justice counseling and advocacy, I want to extend a personal word of gratitude to the many persons who served as reviewers for all the manuscripts that were submitted for this special section. Appreciation is particularly extended to the many graduate students who were willing to serve as reviewers for the first time in their career. Recognizing that you--the students in our association--are the future of the counseling profession, I truly value the time and energy each of you invested in being thoughtful and effective reviewers of the submitted manuscripts. Although it required a great deal of time to synthesize the editorial comments made by all the reviewers, the authors invested even more time to address the reviewers' numerous comments and suggestions. However, all of these efforts resulted in the high quality manuscripts that were ultimately selected for publication in this special section. Much gratitude is extended to Dr. Colette Dollarhide, the editor of the Journal of Humanistic Counseling, for her leadership and unequivocal support in publishing this special section. In addition to learning from the knowledge, experience, and expertise Dr. Dollarhide brings to the table as editor of the journal, I have personally benefited from working with a person who truly embodies the complementary values that are reflected in the humanistic-oriented social justice perspective reflected in the following pages. Thank you, Colette, for your diligence, support, and suggestions, all of which have resulted in the publication of this important special section of the journal. As most of us know, the humanistic perspective in counseling and education rose to prominence in the mid-20th century, drawing on the work of early pioneers like Carl Rogers and the philosophies of existentialism and phenomenology. …